Abandoned dog and pups rescued from dangerous roadside

Neill Cobain

These adorable puppies and their mother have been rescued from a laneway outside Lisburn after being abandoned by an ‘irresponsible and uncaring individual.’

This week Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council’s Dog Warden Service were notified about the predicament of the dogs.

Officers went to the location (on September 7) and collected the pups but were unable to catch the mother owing to her distress. However wardens returned to the location on Thursday (September 8) and successfully retrieved the mother reuniting her with her pups.

Councillor James Baird, Chairman of the Council’s Environmental Services Committee congratulated the member of the public who informed the council about the abandoned dogs.

"It is a disgraceful act by the person who left these five week old pups and their mother abandoned at the roadside to fend for themselves or be struck by passing traffic," he said.

"These dogs could have been responsibly handed over to the Council without any distress being caused to these animals and without judgement being made about the owner."

He added that sadly, after veterinary advice, one of the pups "had to be euthanized as it suffered a fractured pelvis, which may have been a result of being thrown from a moving vehicle".

"The mother was very pleased when she was reunited with her pups after a day apart and it was an emotive scene for those who witnessed it.

“I am delighted that the four pups and mother are doing well and the Council will be sending this little family to Almost Home Animal Rescue NI based in Moira to be cared for until they are ready to be rehomed.

"This animal welfare case is a good example of partnership working between residents, animal sanctuaries and the Council."

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council would like to encourage residents to phone 028 9049 4500 should they have any concerns about animals within the Council area so that swift action can be taken to ensure these animals are cared for.